difference between leopard and panther

Difference Between Leopard and Panther: What’s the Real Story?

When it comes to big cats, there are a lot of different species and sub-species to keep straight. Two of the most commonly confused are leopards and panthers. Are they the same thing? Or is there a real difference between leopard and panther?

What is a Panther?

First, let’s define our terms. The word “panther” has a lot of different meanings, depending on who you ask. Technically speaking, there is no such thing as a “panther” species. Instead, the word can be used to refer to any big cat that has a coat pattern known as melanism. This is a genetic trait that causes the animal’s normally-colored fur to instead be black or dark brown. Therefore, panthers can include black jaguars, black leopards, and possibly even black tigers!

What is a Leopard?

So, what about leopards? These are a real species of big cat, known scientifically as Panthera pardus. They are native to many parts of Africa and Asia, and their coat pattern is typically a spotted assortment of black, brown, and yellow. Like panthers, leopards can also be melanistic, resulting in a dark coat that might be mistaken for a panther.

What’s the Main Difference?

In the end, the main difference between leopard and panther is that leopards are a “real” species of big cat with a specific coat pattern, while panthers are more of a catch-all term for any big cat with melanism. In other words, a black leopard is always a leopard, but a black panther could technically be any melanistic big cat.

Which One is Cooler?

Of course, when it comes to deciding which big cat is cooler, that’s largely up to your own personal preference! Some people might find the sleek black fur of a panther to be more impressive, while others might prefer the spots of a classic leopard. Whatever your preference, both big cats are remarkable creatures that deserve our respect and admiration.

Table difference between leopard and panther

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